Falcons' James Pearce offered intervention program to avoid trial - ESPN

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. agreed Thursday to enter an intervention program, allowing him to avoid trial on felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, along with misdemeanor stalking, his attorney said.

Pearce's attorney, Yale Sanford, told ESPN that Pearce must stay away from his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, and participate in therapy as part of the stipulations of the six-month intervention program, which is run by an outside third party.

Pearce was not present in the courtroom but attended the hearing via videoconference. He is scheduled to appear in Miami-Dade County court on May 7 to finalize details. Florida law allows for the police officers and the victim — Jackson in this case — to be consulted before the deal is finalized.

The Falcons declined comment Thursday, citing the pending legal matter. Messages left with the Miami-Dade state attorney's office and Jackson's attorneys were not immediately returned to ESPN.

The four counts against Pearce, 22, stemmed from a Feb. 7 incident in Doral, Florida, where he allegedly rammed his Lamborghini into a car being driven by Jackson and then drove away from police when they attempted to arrest him.

Pearce allegedly followed Jackson's car and repeatedly collided with hers as she attempted to reach the Doral police station. Officers confronted him but reported that he disobeyed their orders and fled in his vehicle before crashing at an intersection. He tried to continue on foot before officers subdued him, according to police accounts. He then allegedly resisted arrest. Pearce wound up spending a night in jail before being released the following day on a $20,500 bond.

Jackson wrote in a